Mentoring

One of the most exciting aspects of the Servant Leadership Program is the opportunity for students to mentor and be mentored. In cooperation with Big Brother Big Sister, Inc. of Columbus, servant leadership students are matched with a child for school-based mentoring. For one hour a week, students meet with their mentee to play, talk, work on projects and homework, or just hang out. Research shows that Little Brothers and Little Sisters are:

• 46% less likely to use illegal drugs
• 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• More confident in their schoolwork performance
• Able to get along better with their families

"One of my best memories of being in the
program is when my Little threw her arms
around me and told me that she wished I
weren't just her Big Sister, but her real
sister."
- Erin Lantzy, 2006 graduate

Dialogue Partners and Adult Mentors

In addition to serving as mentors, servant leadership students also have an opportunity to learn from corporate partners in the community and faculty members on campus through our "dialogue partners" program. Sophomores and juniors discuss relevant leadership qualities with their dialogue partners, gaining insight into how these qualities are applied in business settings and within their field of study while understanding the challenges and difficulties of real-world practice.

Seniors in the program are also given the chance to choose a mentor in their career field. This provides an opportunity for these students to see how they can specifically apply servant leadership in their job, and it also provides useful shadowing experiences. Examples of career mentors have included dentists, teachers, local politicians, and corporate partners.